Evidence-Based Prison Design

In 2006 the State of Washington conducted an exhaustive study on evidenced-based policy options for reducing future prison construction, criminal-justice costs, and crime rates. Since that time Washington has implemented a successful and growing program called the Sustainability in Prisons Project (SPP).

This multi-site partnership with Evergreen State College aims to “connect prisons with nature,” both through science-based work programs for inmates and through the implementation of sustainable design features in the physical plant of the prison itself. While acknowledging that each corrections institution is unique, SPP has established five goals for every program developed:

Partnerships and collaborations with multiple benefits

Bringing nature “inside”

Engagement and education

Safe and sustainable operations

Evaluation, dissemination, and tracking

Beekeeping, organic gardening and composting, and rearing endangered species for release — including the Oregon Spotted Frog and Taylor’s checkerspot butterflies — are some of the projects prisoners are involved in. Participating facilities have constructed garden plots, greenhouses, science labs, and a range of water- and energy-conservation mechanisms.